A President for change?

When I met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia yesterday, he urged me to consider that Greenpeace and the Indonesian government are “in the same boat” and that “we share the same dream.” Words like this are certainly good to hear, as indeed was the fact that after many years he invited us for an open discussion.

An expression of common cause is always welcome, but as ever, we hope they bear fruit in action, and – critically - withstand the test of time. We hope that the meeting will lead to real support for our call for zero deforestation in the country by 2015. That it will be measured in protection of the country’s pristine rainforests and the more than 10% of global plant and animal species residing within Indonesia. That it will help the world avert catastrophic climate change.

It’s not easy to get a meeting with a President. It is part of our regular work in Indonesia, as in many parts of the world, to consult with government officials and ministers, but it is a testament to the work of our teams, and the power of our supporters that the President takes time to hear our arguments and demands. Through meeting us, he tells you, our supporters, that he is listening.

In Indonesia particularly, our forest campaign has worked hard with palm oil plantation company, Golden Agri Resources (GAR), helping them shape and formulate a viable forest conservation policy. Our dialogue became an intensive and fruitful partnership, covering the protection they could affect to Indonesia’s peatlands, and how GAR could manage and work with high carbon and conservation areas.

To be clear, we told the President that Greenpeace is not ‘anti development’. I expressed our support for Indonesia’s plans to reduce greenhouse emissions, and I also supported the country’s economic growth plans. Ecological and economic welfare are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are codependent.

President SBY was particularly interested in our focus on solutions and I referenced our Energy Revolution report which was launched earlier this week. It is a comprehensive document outlining, in very real and tangible terms, a pathway from fossil-fuel addiction to energy sources that are renewable, sustainable, and waiting for us to harness them.

Finally our meeting was also a forum in which I expressed my grave concerns for the shrinking democratic space for organisations like ours in Indonesia, where our office and staff have been subject to serious and escalating attacks. These attacks included mob visits to our office and the deportation of campaigners John Sauven and Andy Tait from the country last year - despite their having the proper visas. “This should not happen,” declared President SBY, and indeed it should not - we hope it will not happen again.

Those who seek a ban on Greenpeace staff would be well advised to look at the President’s official website where he expresses much appreciation for our dedicated, and “internationally credible” efforts.

On a lighter note, President SBY was much enthused by our forthcoming Rainbow Warrior ship tour to Indonesia next year. Perhaps, at that time, we will literally be ‘in’ the same boat’, as he also seemed very excited by the prospect of visiting when we dock in Jakarta.

Yesterday was a spirited day - hopefully one that will linger, too, in the minds and hearts of Indonesians as they consider their impact – and that of their elected governmental representatives - on the world we live in.

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(Unregistered) Dan
says:

What Indonesia can offer to the World? Wood, Oil - natural resources. They won't stop selling it. I know that Indonesian president is a nice perso...

What Indonesia can offer to the World? Wood, Oil - natural resources. They won't stop selling it. I know that Indonesian president is a nice person, but he doesn't decide anything. Common people destroy forest because they need to survive. Corporations destroy forest because Indonesian laws are weak and the government is corrupted. Indonesian forests are doomed.

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(Unregistered) Aislynn
says:

I have to agree with Dan, not to mention these are a politicians words. As an American I have learned never to believe the words of someone in power u...

I have to agree with Dan, not to mention these are a politicians words. As an American I have learned never to believe the words of someone in power until there is some actions to back it up. None the less, I think it would be horrible to give up.

I call it an intelectual disaster, I am astonished that this drama still does not have an end.

But of courseDoctor Naidoo is an important leader of our fragile World, a very important person. As I said earlier: United Nations...Greenpeace is a perfect stage for international Carreer-building...anyone wants to bet?

Nice dress Kumi, definately Greenpeace...you like to meet important persons like managers and politicians, correct. Make a name of yourself...alwaysa good if you hav ambitions...

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(Unregistered) Abigor
says:

-GREEN Saviour: I used to support you ... until you became too vitriolic and allowed base, vulgar feelings to take over. When you called for reform of...

-GREEN Saviour: I used to support you ... until you became too vitriolic and allowed base, vulgar feelings to take over. When you called for reform of Greenpeace I agreed - but your present ad hominem attacks have disillusioned me concerning you. I used to think you were actually enlightened - but now I see that you are just a critic with an axe to grind.
i admit that there are problems with Greenpeace, but nothing that calls for such invective as you seem so desperate to dish out.
May the God-Emperor guide you.

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(Unregistered) GREEN Savior
says:

After DOCTOR Naidoo has personally contributed to the situation in the USA by permanently attacking Peace-Nobel-Prize Winner Barack Obama in the name ...

After DOCTOR Naidoo has personally contributed to the situation in the USA by permanently attacking Peace-Nobel-Prize Winner Barack Obama in the name of Greenpeace International for two years it is more than overdue to ask this person to step back when he starts to call for the pope!

Sorry, but Kumi Naidoo just called for the pope, by the way, once again.

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(Unregistered) Abigor
says:

GREEN Saviour (AKA Sun AKA Sunwu): Please. Enough now. Constructive criticism is what is needed at the moment - and is the most valuable thing you can...

GREEN Saviour (AKA Sun AKA Sunwu): Please. Enough now. Constructive criticism is what is needed at the moment - and is the most valuable thing you can give. Vitriol, insults, ad hominem assaults and sheer rudeness are only indicative of your inferiority. Also, note that you are making these in writing, and so some of your comments may be taken as libel - for which you may be sued.
Barack Obama got the Peace Prize for very little. There is much to criticise him for and much to commend him for. The Pope is a hard-working man doing what he believes is right. I'm not a Catholic so I don't believe in Papal infallibility - but he is doing his best.
Cool it, for the God-Emperor's sake!